"When the award first started it was solely to recognize positions that Vince Lombardi played and later included linebackers and tight ends," award spokeswoman RoShelle Salinas said. "We're expanding it this year to continue that growth of the award to now include all player positions."

The Lombardi preseason watch list - which Salinas said includes quarterbacks and running backs - will be announced at 2 p.m. Thursday.

A defensive lineman or linebacker has won the Lombardi every year since 1997.

LB Walker

leaves A&M

Texas A&M linebacker Josh Walker has left College Station and is no longer with the program, Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin said on Wednesday night.

"He's no longer here, he's gone back home," Sumlin said, adding the official term is "suspended indefinitely."

Walker was arrested on Friday on charges of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, and interfering with an emergency request for assistance, according to College Station police.

Walker, 20, is accused of assaulting his girlfriend, who's also the mother of his child. The three shared an apartment in College Station.

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Walker started four games at middle linebacker as a freshman in 2014 and a lone game last season. He has 45 tackles over two seasons with A&M.

Odds and ends

Senior Ryan Burns, who did not throw a pass while appearing in four games last season, will start at quarterback for No. 8 Stanford in its opener against Kansas State on Sept. 2. Coach David Shaw said junior quarterback Keller Chryst also would see action against the Wildcats. … Sophomore Trace McSorley will start at quarterback for Penn State against Kent State on Sept. 3 after winning the job from redshirt freshman Tommy Stevens.